Trailnet

Have you registered for I Scream for Ice Cream yet? About 200 of your friends have so far, and now's the time to sign up because registration costs go up on June 21!

I Scream for Ice Cream is one of our most popular rides — it's got routes for cyclists of all levels, including families, whether the kiddos are riding next to you or behind you in the trailer!

You're in for a treat (literally) on this ride. After taking off from our wonderful host The Cyclery and Fitness Center, you'll roll through the MCT trails under a cooling tree canopy and enjoy well stocked rest stops including Pickle Juice Sport on the long routes. Afterward we'll enjoy some ice cream that's sure to hit the spot — and grab yourself a cold one from Perennial Artisan Ales or a bottle of Fitz's Root Beer!

Many thanks to the Agency for Community Transit, whose support makes this ride possible. Head to the comments to get registered!

We are hiring a Director of Development!

The Director of Development will lead Trailnet's fundraising strategy to build a reliable base of resources to improve walking, biking, and public transit in the St. Louis region.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced fundraiser (3+ years) with a detail-driven, collaborative approach who applies strong organizational systems, compelling and compassionate communication skills, and an intrinsic sense of ownership to manage competing demands without sacrificing quality.

Head to the comments to learn more and apply!

What does it take to build the first mountain bike trail in the City of St. Louis?

Last Thursday, Peloton Society members had the opportunity to find out as Ryan Hanlon, owner and creative director of Route 3 Films (and Trailnet's November 2024 Trailnet Champion), shared the remarkable story behind Federer's Folly. More than a trail, it's a testament to what can happen when a community rallies around a shared vision. (have you been to Carondelet Park to check out the trail? Consider this your invitation!)

Ryan walked us through the years of persistence, collaboration, and relationship-building that transformed an ambitious idea into a beloved destination for riders. His story was a powerful reminder that meaningful change — whether on the trails or our streets — is built one conversation, one partnership, and one step at a time.

That same spirit continues to shape Ryan's work today. He helped revive the Friends of Carondelet Park and now serves on its board, and he also serves on the Holly Hills Special Business District Infrastructure Committee, where Trailnet has partnered with the district to help advance safer, calmer streets. The lessons from Federer's Folly, like patience, community building, and a willingness to keep moving forward, are the very same qualities that make transportation and placemaking projects successful.

One quote from the evening captured Ryan's outlook perfectly:

"You can complain about the rain, or you can hand someone an umbrella."

Thank you, Ryan, for an inspiring evening and for showing us what's possible when passionate people choose to build something better together. 🚵💙

UPDATE: THIS HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL WEDNESDAY JULY 8 BECAUSE OF WEATHER. Join Trailnet for a fun evening to learn basic bike maintenance and connect with other cyclists! We’ll be meeting on Wednesday, June 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the pavilion right outside Perennial Artisan Ales on the Trail.

Bring your bike, grab a free beer on us, and learn simple ways to keep your ride rolling — plus how to spot issues that may need more advanced shop work.

We are also looking for Ride Safety Ambassadors for our remaining Community Rides — they help Trailnet lead safe, welcoming rides across St. Louis! You can sign up after the maintenance class.

Volunteers who sign up as Ride Safety Ambassadors for one of our remaining Community Rides will receive free Trailnet swag (including a T-shirt) plus one free ride voucher for any remaining Classic Ride this season, excluding Ride the Rivers.

It’s gonna be a great evening! There’s no sign up or registration, and it’s FREE to attend. Just show up and be ready to learn some new skills and meet new friends. See you there! 🔧🚲🍻

Last August, Trailnet published “25/20: Setting Safer Speed Limits in St. Louis” in NextSTL outlining the evidence behind a 25/20 approach to speed limits in St. Louis. As conversations continue about how to make our streets safer, we're revisiting some of the research and data that informed that recommendation.

Here are a few key facts:
📉 A person struck by a driver traveling 20 mph has about a 5% chance of being killed. At 30 mph, that risk jumps to roughly 45%.

📉 Speeding is a factor in far too many serious and fatal crashes in St. Louis.

📉 Lower speed limits are not a silver bullet — but evidence shows they can reduce speeding, reduce crashes, and save lives.

That's why Trailnet supports a 25/20 approach: 25 mph on arterial streets and 20 mph on local neighborhood streets, alongside traffic calming, safer street design, improved connectivity, and equitably distributed automated enforcement.

Everyone deserves to get where they're going safely, whether they're walking, biking, rolling, taking transit, or driving.

Read more about the research and evidence behind safer speeds at the 🔗 in the comments.

This Juneteenth, celebrate St. Louis’ Black artists, musicians, and history with a bike ride featuring live music! 🚲

The Juneteenth Community Ride presented by River City Outdoors is co-hosted by Trailnet and 4theVille with support from the Missouri Historical Society and Regional Arts Commission, and it’s happening on Saturday June 20! Join us for what promises to be a joyful group bicycle ride with music curated by Tre G. 🎶

This ride is FREE but please RSVP in advance. Head to the comment to get registered!

When we say streets for all, we mean ALL. Happy Pride Month! 🌈

Catch us at Soulard Pride on June 13, and leave your car keys at home — we’re providing bike parking! Our table will have some great info and goodies, including these stickers. See you there!

This month’s Trailnet Champion is Hobo Hub Works, and its owner and operator, Matt Steward. 🚲

Through affordable used bikes, welcoming community rides, and a belief that biking should be joyful and accessible to everyone, Matt is helping build a stronger, more connected cycling community here in St. Louis. From rescuing old bikes from landfills to creating a “third space” for people to gather and connect, Hobo Hub Works is a reminder that bikes can be so much more than transportation; they can create friendship, freedom, and belonging.

We’re grateful for Matt’s partnership, his support of Trailnet’s work, and his commitment to making biking more welcoming for riders of all backgrounds. Head to the comments to read more!

Tour de Stooges was just a little over three weeks ago, but we’re still basking in what fun it was! 575 people registered to enjoy riding in the beautiful area around Lebanon, IL, and apart from the brief hail, it was an incredible day filled with joy on two wheels, new friendships, and great laughs. Ride photos by the incredible Dan Singer Photography are up; head to the comments to check them out.

Rides are an important part of our work. They help normalize biking as transportation, encourage healthy, active, and vibrant lives, and remind people just how joyful and community-centered riding a bike can be. Seeing hundreds of people out riding together is more than just fun — it’s a glimpse of the kind of connected, people-centered communities we’re working toward every day. ❤️

Thank you again to Pickle Juice Sport, Fitz's, Great Rivers Greenway Gateway East Trails, McKendree University, and Bike Surgeon Cycling for helping make this ride happen!

Our next Classics ride is I Scream for Ice Cream, on Sunday, June 28 in Edwardsville. We have a Family Ride at 10 miles, and then 24, 34, and 51 mile rides. There’s something for everyone! It’s one of our most popular rides each year; you can register in the comments. We hope to see you there!

Bike Month isn’t just about riding; it’s also about exploring the ideas, stories, and people helping shape better communities through biking, walking, and safer streets 📚🚲

To celebrate, Trailnet and Read A Book STL are highlighting some incredible bike and bike-adjacent reads. Whether you’re passionate about transportation, urbanism, community building, advocacy, or simply love bikes, there’s something here for you.

📖 Featured reads include:

Walkable City - How walkability creates healthier, safer, more vibrant cities. This is a MUST-READ.

Bikenomics - A fun and eye-opening look at the economic and community power of bicycles.

Pedaling Revolution - A look at how the modern bike movement is reshaping cities.

When Driving Isn’t An Option - An essential perspective on transportation access and mobility justice, written by one of the originators of Week Without Driving.

Streetfight: Handbook for an Urban Revolution - The story behind transformative street redesigns and people-first infrastructure.

Revolutions: How Women Changed the World on Two Wheels - A fascinating history of bikes, freedom, and women’s empowerment.

The Death and Life of Great American Cities - A foundational classic on vibrant, people-centered neighborhoods. Another must-read.

How Cycling Can Save the World - A hopeful look at how bicycles can help create healthier, safer communities.

Hop on your bike, head to Read A Book STL, and celebrate Bike Month with a good book! 📕 🚲